TDC ends streak of bed tax increases

Safety and rescue kayaks and canoes prep on the beach before the start of the 2012 Florida Ironman in Panama City Beach on Nov. 3. Despite events like the Ironman, bed tax collections for November remained about flat.

Andrew P Johnson / News Herald file photo

By VALERIE GARMAN / The News Herald

Published: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 10:35 PM.

PANAMA CITY BEACH — After 19 consecutive months of growth, the Bay County Tourist Development Council’s (TDC) streak of building on the bed tax is over.

Collections for November remained about flat, with roughly a $6,500 decrease over the last year, tourist development tax specialist Charlene Honnen reported Tuesday.

Although no gain was reported, Honnen assured the board there was no reason to worry.

“Although November collections were fairly flat compared to last year, I’d like to point out that last year was up significantly,” Honnen said as she addressed the board. “I think collections are still good, still strong and we’re doing great.”

Last November saw an 11.5 percent increase over 2011, with collections up 13.8 percent from 2010, and 30 percent over 2007.

The 19 months of growth represent the longest streak of bed tax collections ever for the agency. The previous record was 10 months of consecutive gains, which was reported in 2007.

“It is disappointing, but we knew it was going to happen sometime,” said TDC Executive Director Dan Rowe. “November is historically one of the most difficult times of year in terms of our collections.”

PANAMA CITY BEACH — After 19 consecutive months of growth, the Bay County Tourist Development Council’s (TDC) streak of building on the bed tax is over.

Collections for November remained about flat, with roughly a $6,500 decrease over the last year, tourist development tax specialist Charlene Honnen reported Tuesday.

Although no gain was reported, Honnen assured the board there was no reason to worry.

“Although November collections were fairly flat compared to last year, I’d like to point out that last year was up significantly,” Honnen said as she addressed the board. “I think collections are still good, still strong and we’re doing great.”

Last November saw an 11.5 percent increase over 2011, with collections up 13.8 percent from 2010, and 30 percent over 2007.

The 19 months of growth represent the longest streak of bed tax collections ever for the agency. The previous record was 10 months of consecutive gains, which was reported in 2007.

“It is disappointing, but we knew it was going to happen sometime,” said TDC Executive Director Dan Rowe. “November is historically one of the most difficult times of year in terms of our collections.”

Rowe said the report still represents the second strongest month the TDC has ever had during November in terms of collections.

“You can’t really pinpoint exactly why it didn’t continue to increase, but there’s only (about) a $6,000 decrease in the amount of taxes collected,” Rowe said. “In the grand scheme of things, it’s not that big a deal.”

At Tuesday’s meeting, the TDC directed Rowe to channel more effort, $872,000 worth, into marketing to boost fall visitation in Panama City Beach.

The extra marketing funds came with strong recommendation from Rowe, who hopes staff can showcase the many events the beach offers in the fall.

“I imagine we’ll go right back to growing again,” Rowe said. “I think that the winter is going to be good and I think everyone is looking forward to the spring and summer.”

Rowe said even after the 2010 oil spill, Panama City Beach did not see the same types of decreases neighboring areas did. The hardest hit came in July 2010, when collections fell 15 percent.

“We have been through a lot; it has been a very tumultuous period of time on the beach,” Rowe said. “The last 19 months have been very, very good.”